Flood insurance is mandatory if your home or property is within a special flood hazard area, as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and you have a federally-backed or federally-insured mortgage. Your flood insurance policy provides coverage caused by flooding for your residence since your homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover losses caused by flooding.

Typically, mandatory flood insurance is not required if your residence is located in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Zone X, although your mortgage company may require you to have flood insurance if they believe there is a risk to your residence and they want to protect their interest.

This is incorrect! All residences are eligible for flood insurance even if they are located in a moderate-to-low risk flood areas, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Zone X. Contact the agent that administers your homeowner’s insurance policy to learn more or visit the FloodSmart website to get a list of insurance agents.